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|| Evelyn ||

Fix-It Day starts off with the blaring of an alarm clock and the overwhelming urge to stay in bed and not move a muscle. After taking nearly two weeks off from school, I'm beginning to feel the repercussions, including the fact that waking up early sucks.

"Turn it off!" Groans Reed from outside the door, and I can't help but laugh to myself as I push the button that throws a blanket of silence over the room. Slowly, I lift myself from the comforting warmth of my bed and try to remember my morning routine; it feels like it's been years since I've done anything even remotely normal.

There's a chill in the air as I step into the hallway, fully dressed after spending a solid twenty minutes on my outfit. Reed's already up but not ready yet; his hair is mussed and pajamas rumpled. Our eyes meet and smile, but not without noticing the flash of confusion that crosses his face.

"Sorry," he mutters, dropping his gaze, "I'm just not used to you looking..."

He pauses, and annoyance bubbles up in my chest as I respond,

"Looking like what? Like I'm not about to break at any given moment?"

"Jesus, Evelyn," he says, running a hand over his tired-looking face, "Sorry. It's just—whatever. It's six-thirty in the morning; I'm not even close to thinking straight."

I nod, face burning with embarrassment. What the hell is his problem?

Instead of asking, though, I move to the kitchen and fill up two water bottles—one for me and one for Georgina. She always forgets to drink water.

"I'm going to wait in the car, okay?" I tell Reed, and he looks at me with the strangest sadness in his eyes. I want to ask if he's doing alright, but the words get stuck in my throat. I shut my eyes and shake it off, letting myself out into the driveway and the crisp fall air. A rush of wind envelops me and I wonder if this is what it feels like, to be welcomed back into the real world.

________

It's funny how people's lives can change while everything else stays the same.

The pristine hallways of my school are just the same as they were two weeks ago, still smelling of bleach and full of students that pass me by as if nothing ever happened at all. It takes me a moment to realize that, to them, nothing did.

Georgina wraps me in a hug as soon as she sees me, and if only for a moment, I feel as if maybe everything can go back to the way it was.

"Welcome back," she whispers, and I smile even though she can't see it.

"How are you feeling?"

"Oh, you know," she says, pulling away and grinning at me, "Pregnant. And hungry."

Behind us, Reed clears his throat. I turn and am surprised to find a firm, thin line replacing his usual smile. He says hello to Georgie and then pushes past us, saying something about not wanting to be late to class.

"What's with him?" Georgina asks, brows puckered as she frowns in disdain. I sigh and say,

"I really wish I knew."

We start our walk together, and it doesn't take long to notice that she's staring at my neck, concealed by the fabric of my sweater. Releasing a small breath, I reveal the strained, bruised skin underneath, and a small gasp escapes her lips.

"Evelyn," she says, and I swallow, touching my fingers to her wrist.

"It's okay. It's nothing compared to what you're going through."

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